State of Nevada Archives: on Homeland Security

Jacky Rosen:
Fight to keep our military strong

Keeping America Safe & Secure: Jacky Rosen knows that the first job of the United States government is to keep Americans safe from foreign and domestic threats. In Congress, she will fight to keep our military strong and invest in our capacity to fight
terrorism at home and abroad. She will promote strong leadership by the United States in international affairs, standing strong with our allies, and taking the security threats from ISIS, Iran, and North Korea seriously.

Jacky Rosen:
Duty to take care of our veterans with less bureaucracy

We have a duty to take care of our veterans after they've put their lives on the line to protect this nation. Jacky's husband is a radiologist, and he left his private practice to serve our veterans at the local VA hospital.

Too many veterans in
Nevada struggle with a bureaucratic system and wait too long for care and benefits they've earned. Jacky will work to get rid of red tape that creates problems, increase accountability and stand up against extreme efforts to privatize the VA system.

Ruben Kihuen:
Focus on veterans, not defense company lobbyists

Unfortunately, spending decisions for our military and veterans are often made by Member of Congress trying to please defense company lobbyists or bring jobs to their district instead of what is best for our service members.
Our military spending decisions should be made by those we entrust to defend this nation, not by lobbyists trying to ensure a good quarter for shareholders.

In Congress, I will:

Reform the DOD budget process to put the needs of those
who defend our country first instead of wasteful or duplicative projects that only benefit defense contractors and the Members of Congress they contribute to.

Fully-fund the VA system to shorten wait times and improve care while reforming critical
gaps in service like a lack of dental benefits [especially] for veterans who live in rural areas.

Ensure that veterans have a strong advocate to fight for the benefits they have earned but have been wrongly denied.

Joe Heck:
Supported $607 billion national defense bill

On May 15, 2015, the House passed HR 1735, the National Defense Authorization Act, by a vote of 269-151--Rep. Heck voted YEA. The bill "authorizes FY2016 appropriations and sets forth policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities,
including military personnel strengths." Heck voted with 227 other Republicans and 41 Democrats to approve the bill. The Senate passed the bill on June 18, 2015, by a vote of 71-25. President Obama vetoed the bill on Oct. 22.

On Nov. 5, 2015, the
House passed S 1356, the National Defense Authorization Act, by a vote of 370-58--Rep. Heck voted YEA. The second version of the $607 billion national defense bill included "$5 billion in cuts to match what was approved in the budget" and language
preventing the closure of the Guantanamo Bay military prison. Heck voted with 234 other Republicans and 135 Democrats to approve the bill. On Nov. 10 the Senate passed the bill by a vote of 91-3, and President Barack Obama signed it into law on Nov. 25.

Brian Sandoval:
Fund additional veterans service officers

There is another group that deserves our attention and respect--our veterans. The men and women who have served our nation in two wars are coming home. Tonight, I ask you to join me in remembering those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and those
who have not yet returned.

Over 300 Nevadans remain deployed with our Army and Air National Guard, and many more of Nevada's finest are serving in uniform at home and abroad.

In honor of those who serve in the
Armed Forces, my budget contains funding for additional veterans service officers. And it also includes money to begin the first phase to build a new, stand-alone veteran's home in Northern Nevada, to complement the veteran's home in Boulder City.
These resources will help ensure that our service members receive the benefits they deserve. We owe the men and women who serve our country nothing less than total victory.

Source: 2013 State of the State address to Nevada Legislature
Jan 16, 2013

Mark Amodei:
Focus defense spending on 21st Century warfare

As your Congressman, I will work to make sure that our military is the best equipped and trained fighting force in the world.

Make funding for troops in the field the top priority in the Pentagon budget

Focus defense spending on
Innovation and 21st Century warfare capabilities

Support the vital role and continued operation of Nevada's defense installations, National Guard and Reserve Units.

Barack Obama:
Human rights and national security are complementary

Q: Is human rights more important than American national security?

A: The concepts are not contradictory, but complementary. Pakistan is a great example. We paid $10 billion over the last seven years & we had two goals: deal with terrorism and restore
democracy. We’ve gotten neither. Pakistan’s democracy would strengthen our battle against extremists. The more we see repression, the more there are no outlets for how people can express themselves and their aspirations, the worse off we’re going to be,
and the more anti-American sentiment there’s going to be in the Middle East. We keep on making this mistake. As president, I will make sure that nuclear weapons don’t fall into the hands of extremists, especially Al Qaida.
If we simply prop up anti-democratic practices that feeds the sense that the US is only concerned about us and that our fates are not tied to these other folks. That’s going to make us less safe. That’s something I intend to change.

Source: 2007 Democratic debate in Las Vegas, Nevada
Nov 15, 2007

Bill Richardson:
Human rights can be more important than national security

Q: Are human rights, at times, more important than national security?

A: Yes, because we need to find ways to say to the world that it’s not just about what Halliburton wants in Iraq. It’s also about our values of freedom, equality.
Our strength is not just military and economic. Our strength as a nation is our values: equality, freedom, democracy, and human rights. That’s why we are strong.

Source: 2007 Democratic debate in Las Vegas, Nevada
Nov 15, 2007

Chris Dodd:
National security is more important than human rights

Q: What is more important, human rights or national security?

A: Obviously, national security, keeping the country safe. When you take the oath of office, you promise to do two things, and that is to protect and defend the Constitution of the
US and protect our country against enemies both foreign and domestic. If there were totally free elections in many of the countries today, the Islamic Jihad or Brotherhood would win 85% of the vote. That’s not a great outcome for us at this point either.

Source: 2007 Democratic debate in Las Vegas, Nevada
Nov 15, 2007

Hillary Clinton:
National security is more important than human rights

Q: What is more important, human rights or national security?

A: The first obligation of the president of the US is to protect and defend the US. That doesn’t mean that it is to the exclusion of other interests. After 9/11, Bush had a chance to chart a
different course, both in Pakistan and in Afghanistan, and could have been very clear about what our expectations were. We are now in a bind. It is not completely, but partly, a result of the failed policies of the Bush administration.
Where we are today means that we have to say to Musharraf, “Look, this is not in your interest either; this is not in the interest of the US. It is not in your interest to either stay in power or stay alive.” When I was meeting with him earlier this year
I asked him if he would accept a high-level presidential envoy to begin to negotiate some of these issues. He said yes. I called the White House, I asked them to send such a high-level envoy. They did not do it. They’re going to send one now.

Source: 2007 Democratic debate in Las Vegas, Nevada
Nov 15, 2007

John Edwards:
Lead a long-term effort to rid the world of nuclear weapons

We need to make sure that the extremists in northwest Pakistan are under control. We provide support for the democratic reformers and make sure these elections take place in January. We need to make certain that the nuclear weapons are under control.
Pakistan is the living, breathing example that America’s ad hoc policy of dealing with the spread of nuclear weapons, while it’s absolutely required in today’s world given what’s happening with Iran, given what we see today in
Pakistan and the incredible fragility of the administration in Pakistan and the presidents of an extraordinary extremist element within Pakistan. But this is the living, breathing example of a policy that will not work over the long-term.
What we have to do, what the US needs to do and what I will do, as president of the US, is to lead a long-term international effort to rid the world of nuclear weapons. It is the only way we’re going to keep the world secure and keep the US secure.

Source: 2007 Democratic debate in Las Vegas, Nevada
Nov 15, 2007

Bill Richardson:
We should not be known for Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib

The next president must restore America’s prestige internationally. We should not be known for Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib and eavesdropping and violating the Geneva Conventions. We should be known as an America for democracy and human rights.